Drone Tutorial: UAV Basics Explained

This tutorial provides a fundamental understanding of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), commonly known as drones. We’ll cover the basics of what a drone is, the frequencies and power levels they use, their core hardware components, how they operate, and their various applications.

In this guide, we will explore:

• The basic definition of a drone UAV
• Frequencies used in drone communication
• Power levels used in drones
• Hardware components used in making a drone
• How drones work
• Drone applications

What is a Drone and UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle)?

An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is a small aircraft that can operate autonomously without a human pilot onboard. More popularly, it is known as a Drone.

Drones can be controlled remotely by a human operator, or they can follow a pre-programmed path using complex automation algorithms developed during their design.

In essence, a UAV is a combination of the drone itself (the aerial component) and a control system located on the ground.

Drone Frequencies and Drone Power Levels

Drones typically operate at radio frequencies of 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz. One frequency is used to control the aircraft from the ground station, while the other is often used to transmit video (FPV - First Person View). Common frequencies used for FPV video transmission include 900MHz, 1.2GHz, 2.4GHz, and 5.8GHz.

The table below outlines the power levels required for drone communication:

Drone Hardware Components Used in Making a Drone UAV

Figure-1: Drone Hardware components

Figure 1 illustrates the major components of a drone. It consists of the drone’s body, frame, propellers, and controller. These parts house various components, as described below.

Drone Body: The body encloses the battery, power supply, control system, and sensors. Gyroscopes and accelerometers are common sensors used for stabilization. Advanced drones often include a camera and a Wi-Fi transmitter/receiver with a high-gain directional antenna.

Drone Frame: The frame, usually made of nylon or carbon fiber, provides strength and lightweight properties. It supports the body shell and frame bars, securing the propellers. Landing gears for landing are mounted at the end of the frame bars.

Propellers: Propellers generate the force needed to lift the drone into the air. They are powered by motors (typically four motors for four propellers) and the motors are powered by the battery. Two propellers rotate clockwise, while the other two rotate counter-clockwise to maintain stability.

Controller: The controller circuitry manages Wi-Fi transmission and reception, adjusts the speed of each propeller, and facilitates communication with the ground-based control system. This allows for precise control of the drone’s movement, either via remote control or according to a pre-defined flight path. The controller utilizes a microcontroller and drivers to enable these control functionalities.

How a Drone Works

Figure-2: How drone works

Figure 2 shows the operational principles of a UAV. The drone is piloted using three primary modes of motion: Lift, Yaw, and Pitch.

• Lift: Enables the drone to fly upwards. All propellers rotate at the same speed to direct the drone vertically.
• Yaw: Provides rotation around the center of the XY plane.
• Pitch: Provides rotation other than the center of the XY plane. It provides rotation about X-axis or Y-axis or both.

As mentioned earlier, drone operation typically involves two frequencies. One frequency is for controlling the drone from the ground system, and the other is for transmitting video or images.

Typical buttons on a drone’s remote controller include:

• 1-Antennas: used to relay aircraft control and video signal.
• 2-Mobile phone handler
• 3-Control stick which controls movement and orientation of drone
• 4-Return to Home Button
• 5-Displays battery level of remote controller.
• 6-System status
• 7-Power button to turn drone power ON/OFF
• 8-RTH status LED indicator

Drone UAV Applications

Drones have a wide range of applications, including:

• Search and rescue operations during fires, earthquakes, etc.
• Inspections of wind turbines, pipelines, power lines, etc.
• Security and surveillance during public events, protests, etc.
• Science and research purposes.
• Aerial photography and video of inaccessible locations.
• Unmanned cargo systems.

Hopefully, this drone tutorial has provided valuable information about drone UAVs, their components, frequencies, power levels, and operational principles.